Summer Activities: Fruit Picking and Jam Making

Summer Activities: Fruit Picking and Jam Making

Given the current state of the weather and the approaching frivolities of spring, you could forgive us for getting a little excited about the (warmer!) seasons to come. If only for a fleeting moment, we like to think of all the wonderful possibilities a new season has to bring, and with the mornings getting lighter and lighter, we’re picturing a very Bohemian Summer indeed! With this new lease on life, we’re embracing the carnival season as a farewell to the winter months and an open invitation to all things al fresco –a ‘back to nature’ take on activities for children, just how they like it!

Think rolling fields of green and outdoor parties dotted with fairy lights and lanterns. Though it may not yet be reality, these are the activities we’re looking forward to once spring is well and truly here! Outdoor activities will most surely be on the rise, so we’ve committed to coming up with some of the best (and usually free!) outdoor activities for your family – keep an eye on this space for some fabulous ideas.

A great family day to get your kids interested in everything Mother Nature has to offer is fruit picking. Its fun, family friendly, educational and you get to eat what you pick once you’re done! There are plenty of local farms and areas all over the UK that offer fruit picking days, and whether you choose to go local for a few hours or make a whole day of it, it’s the perfect outing to keep those little hands busy (and tummies full of goodness!).

Here’s a simple recipe for home made strawberry jam your kids can help out with once you’ve brought your hoard of berries home.

You will need-

900g freshly picked strawberries

800g caster sugar

4tbs lemon juice

Hull the strawberries and crush with a potato masher in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Depending on how you like your jam, you can crush as much or as little as you like – if you want large chunks of strawberries, don’t over crush them. Add the sugar and lemon juice, and stir over a low heat until all the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often.

Transfer to sterile jars, leaving a one centimetre gap, and seal.

This is a great way to teach kids the process their food goes through in a fun and interactive environment. They’ll benefit from learning the basics of food production and in spending a few glorious hours in the lovely fresh air, and we bet you will too!